Travel time from disembarkment in Brooklyn to La Guardia
 

Our cruise ship docks in Brooklyn at 7:15am May 26 and our flight out of La Guardia is 11:15am. Is this doable? I think it is only about 30 minutes to the airport and if we are off the ship with our bags by 9 am shouldn't that be plenty of time? First time doing this run so appreciate any feedback from those who have made the airport run from the Brooklyn cruise ship dock.

I think you're cutting it too close. Hopstop puts the travel time at 40 minutes - but you need to leave time to get off the ship, find you limo and get to LGA in time to get through security - which can easily take 45 minutes or more.

For an 11:30 plane you need to be there at about 10:30, allowing for security - that means getting to the airport no later than 9:30 - check in lines can be interminabe. I would count on being in your car by 8:30 at the latest.

Try Carmel or Dial 7 to reserve a car - and ask them how much time you should allow based on your flight

Added factor is that this is the Thursday prior to Memorial Day weekend - which at that time of day may not add to road traffic, but could quite likely add to airport congestion.

Of the 5 cruises I have taken (although none ending in NY), 2 have had disembarktion a bit later than scheduled time due to cruiseport traffic, weather.

At this point, though, don't see a advantage in changing your flight - you are likely going to pay the same change fee if you call now as if you call that AM and say you can't make the flight.

Hotstop is correct only if there is traffic, which is a good possibility. But it is a stright shot on the BQE which the cabbie can pick up three minutes away from the pier and then a few minutes on Grand Central.

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Cruise people:

I have never taken a cruise in my life, could they ask for an expedited processing from the ship?

I routinely arrive at LGA central terminal (AA) 75min before departure and never feel rushed.

I see no need to arrive at LGA at 9:30 for an 11:30 flight. If you are off the ship by 9, in a taxi or car service by 9:15, and at the airport by 10 you'll have plenty of time.

Other may have different experience.

I'd go on cruisecritic.com and ask how long it normally takes to disembark from that cruise. I think the biggest issue is the disembarkation and not the time to travel. You can also ask the cruise line what they suggest as an estimate.

A couple of comments:

The BQE is notorious for hideous traffic, accidents and tie-ups

Someone getting off a cruise is likely to have substantial luggage. You may get through check in in 20 minutes and you may get through security in 15. But I've had each take 45 minutes at LGA - esp bad IMHO if you are flying American. (Caveat: LGA is the closest to my apartment and I have flown out of it literally hundreds of times.)

The question is - do you want to plan for everything going perfectly - or do you want to give yourself a cushion in case something goes wrong,?

If you already have a flight booked, I guess you have no choice, but it might be a little tight. If you were leaving a little earlier or a little later, I'd be less worried, but you have to get across Brooklyn during the end of the morning rush, and that could delay you a bit.

There are a couple of things you can do to mitigate any issues.

First, check in online as soon as you are awake. If you are checking a bag, then it's less important that you be able to print your boarding pass since you have to check in anyway. But definitely do all you can in advance, including paying for your checked bags.

Second, request an early disembarkation; this might help you get off a ship a tad quicker in the morning. The Brooklyn cruise terminal is a real zoo at disembarkation.

Third, see if you can have a car service reserved and waiting for you. You'll pay extra for this privilege, but you really need to have that car. There will be a huge line for the cars, and that alone could add 30 to 45 minutes to your disembarkation time.

American and Delta are the two busiest airlines in the morning and have the longest lines, but if you are flying another airline, it will be somewhat easier.